Patna, Nov 14 (IANS) The grand festival of Chhath, rooted in folk faith, purity, and devotion to the Sun God, reached an important stage on Saturday with the observance of Kharna.
The second day of the four-day festival marked the beginning of the rigorous 36-hour nirjala (waterless) fast observed by devotees.
The festival began on November 13 with the traditional Nahay-Khay ritual.
On Saturday, devotees observed Kharna, during which they will fast throughout the day without consuming food or water.
In the evening, after taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, they will worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya before preparing the traditional Kharna prasad.
The main offerings on this occasion include jaggery-based rice pudding and wheat-flour ‘rotis’.
The jaggery-based rice pudding is generally prepared using arwa rice and cow’s milk, with jaggery replacing sugar.
In some traditions, sugarcane juice is also used to prepare the rice pudding.
Special attention is paid to cleanliness and purity throughout the preparation of the prasad.
Wheat, rice, and milk are carefully selected, while onion and garlic are strictly avoided. The entire cooking process follows traditional sattvic practices.
After completing the evening prayers, the devotees first consume the Kharna prasad, followed by other family members.
A distinctive tradition associated with the ritual is that the person observing the fast must eat in complete silence.
If any noise or disturbance interrupts the meal, the devotee stops eating.
After consuming the prasad, devotees take a solemn vow to observe the 36-hour nirjala fast, abstaining from both food and water until the conclusion of the Chhath.
Following Kharna, preparations for the remaining rituals of Chhath gather momentum.
Devotees and their families prepare traditional delicacies such as thekua, gujia, and tikri. Fruits, including bananas, apples, and oranges, along with flowers and other items required for worship, are also collected.
These offerings are traditionally arranged in bamboo trays (soop) and baskets (daura).
Devotees carry them to riverbanks, ponds, and other designated water bodies to offer arghya to the setting Sun God.
Every ingredient and ritual associated with Chhath has its own traditional significance.
While pumpkin holds particular importance during Nahay-Khay, Kharna is marked by the preparation of jaggery-based kheer and wheat rotis.
These customs reflect the purity, discipline, and folk traditions passed down through generations.
On November 15, devotees will offer prayers and arghya to the setting Sun, and on November 16, devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun and conclude the fast with the traditional paran ritual.
On the final morning, devotees will pray to Chhathi Maiya for the happiness and prosperity of their families, the well-being of their children and the welfare of society.
Kharna is not merely a ritual associated with food offerings; it marks the beginning of the most rigorous phase of Chhath Puja.
From preparing prasad with utmost purity to observing the prolonged waterless fast, every aspect reflects devotion, self-discipline, gratitude towards nature, and unwavering faith in Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God.
–IANS
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